JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is taking direct aim at the Obama administration’s desire for a pause in new sanctions against Iran. Netanyahu says more pressure is the way to convince the Iranians to prove their nuclear program is peaceful.
Speaking as he met with Kerry on Wednesday, Netanyahu said pressure “should be maintained and even increased” ahead of a second round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany that is scheduled to begin in Geneva on Thursday. The Obama administration says it wants to hold off on new sanctions to allow for flexibility in those talks.
Kerry did not address the sanctions issues but is stressing that the U.S. won’t allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.